Jury Service and Selection

General Information

HOW WAS MY NAME CHOSEN — The names of prospective jurors are randomly selected from a combined list of registered voters, licensed drivers and Ohio ID holders who are United States citizens, 18 years of age or older and live in Washington County.

WHAT ABOUT MY CHILDREN — There are no facilities to care for children at the court. You need to make your own child care arrangements in advance.

WHAT ABOUT MY EMPLOYER — By law, employers are not permitted to discharge you, lay you off, deny you advancement opportunity or otherwise penalize you for appearing for jury duty. When you are paid you will receive a document to give to your employer proving that you appeared for jury service.

WHERE DO I PARK — Jurors are to park at the PARKING PARTNERS LOT on 2nd Street in Marietta at no charge to you. PARK IN THE 2 HOUR PARKING ON RIGHT-HAND SIDE ** DO NOT PARK IN RESERVED SPACES OR THE PEOPLES BANK PARKING LOT AT THE REAR OF THE COURTHOUSE.

TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS — Please call the Bailiff so that arrangements can be made for a Sheriff's Deputy to pick you up and bring you to Court.

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY — Please call the Bailiff if you have a disability. Arrangements will be made to accommodate you to the extent possible.

DO I GET PAID — Prospective jurors are paid $5 for reporting or $10 per day if selected to serve on a jury as allowed by Ohio Law Revised Code Section 2313.22 and the Washington County Commissioners.

WHAT IF I AM SICK, GOING TO BE OUT OF TOWN, OR OTHERWISE UNABLE TO APPEAR ON THE DAY THAT I AM CALLED — You need to notify the Bailiff of the Court as soon as you receive your notice to appear. If you have a health problem we will need a doctor's statement that you are unable to serve and the period of your disability. If the problem is short term, your appearance will be rescheduled for a later date. Since the Court is required to keep proof of why you were excused or rescheduled, verification may be required.

Petit Jurors

WHEN WILL I SERVE — The Court will notify you by letter three or four times during the year to appear as a juror on a specific date. We try to send the letters two to three weeks before the date of service. The letter will tell you the date you are to appear and assign you to either JURY A or JURY B. ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO APPEAR TWICE, OR HAVE BEEN SEATED ON A JURY YOU WILL BE EXCUSED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

HOW LONG WILL THE TRIAL LAST — Many trials last one day. If the trial is expected to last longer, this will be discussed during jury selection and you will be given a chance to indicate problems a longer trial would present for you. Trials often last into the evening hours.

WHAT IF THE TRIAL IS CANCELED — Sometimes cases settle after you have been notified to appear. To find out if you still need to report, call the Court after 2:00 p.m. on the day before your jury service at the number indicated on your letter for a recorded message on the next day's jury service. This phone line will answer at night and on weekends and holidays. (Jury A 740-371-5165 Jury B 740-371-5164)

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE LAW — Jurors are instructed on the law they need to decide the case by the judge.

Grand Jurors

WHEN WILL I SERVE — The Court will notify you by letter about two to three weeks before your first date of service in January, April, July, or October.

HOW LONG WILL THE GRAND JURY LAST — The Grand Jury usually meets for two to three days a month for three consecutive months. Grand Jury sessions sometimes last into the early evening hours. Grand Jury sessions are not open to the public.

WHAT IS A GRAND JURY — The Grand Jury hears evidence presented by the Prosecutor to decide whether persons should be charged with crimes.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE LAW — The Grand Jury is instructed on the law they need to decide the case by the Judge and the Prosecutor.

Jury Service and Selection